Is Red Light Therapy Safe During Pregnancy? Risks and Benefits

Red light therapy (RLT) uses red light to improve the appearance of your skin by reducing acne, wrinkles, scars, and redness. Because many trials to understand the safety and effectiveness of this therapy are still ongoing, pregnant people should avoid red light therapy to protect themselves and their developing fetuses. Here's a look at red light therapy in pregnancy and its potential benefits and risks.

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy (RLT) is a type of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy that was formerly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or low-light therapy (LLT). Photobiomodulation involves using light energy to enhance a cell's function. RLT is a noninvasive treatment, meaning nothing is inserted into your body.

The primary use of red light therapy treatments is to improve skin health by encouraging cell growth and development in a non-invasive nature. Common uses of red light therapy treatments for skin include the following:

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  • Acne. A research study revealed that red light exposure significantly reduced active acne lesions after 12 sessions. Also, photobiomodulation treatments like red light therapy have anti-inflammatory effects that may assist in reducing inflammation in the skin.
  • Wound healing. People may use red light therapy for skin rejuvenation and wound healing. Research suggests that red light therapy has the potential to accelerate the wound healing process by promoting the proliferation of various cells, such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
  • Wrinkle reduction. As you age, your collagen production decreases, which may encourage the development of wrinkles. Clinical trials discovered that red light therapy may reduce fine lines and improve collagen density. However, more research is needed to get a better understanding of how RLT is stimulating collagen production.

Aside from skin treatments, red light therapy devices may provide other health benefits in a non-invasive nature, including:

  • Hair loss. According to several clinical trials, red light therapy shows the potential to address specific types of alopecia (a medical term for hair loss.) Moreover, several at-home LLLT devices have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pattern hair loss.
  • Pain management. Research reveals that a combination of low-intensity laser and photobiomodulation therapy can help people manage musculoskeletal pain from conditions like fibromyalgia. While people with certain health conditions may consider using red light therapy for pain relief, it is crucial to consult with a medical professional beforehand.

How does red light therapy work?

More research is necessary to better understand how red light therapy treatments work. However, some studies detail a few of the mechanisms this treatment uses to improve cellular activity.

Red light therapy is presumed to work by using specific wavelengths to improve mitochondrial function. Mitochondria is the 'power plant' in your body's cells.

When your cells have more energy, they may be able to work more efficiently, which can include improving skin elasticity, enhancing skin rejuvenation, and increasing cell growth and development.

In addition, research reveals that red light therapy can reduce oxidative stress, which can help boost cellular energy and encourage the healing of damaged tissue. Oxidative stress occurs when the body has an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants that can lead to cell damage.

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Is red light therapy safe during pregnancy?

Limited research suggests that RLT treatments are safe for pregnant individuals. Therefore, to protect your and your growing baby's health, it is best to avoid this treatment.

Below is the little research available on the effects of red light therapy during pregnancy.

A systematic review analyzed 22 publications that reported the use of various laser wavelengths among 380 pregnant people during all trimesters. The reviewers discovered only one case of premature rupture of membranes that may have been tied to laser treatment, though it's not confirmed.

Aside from the one case, there were no other reported incidences of maternal or fetal disease, death, premature labor, or fetal stress.

Also, one study found that 670 mm of RLT could reduce the damage to the placental microenvironment caused by late-onset preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and, typically, high levels of protein in the urine that can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy or within six weeks after giving birth.

While it may seem that RLT during pregnancy is safe for your overall well-being, there's not enough evidence to fully support the use of this treatment.

Why are people considering red light therapy during pregnancy?

Despite the little research available on RLT's effect on pregnant people, some expecting parents may still consider this treatment for various individual circumstances.

Here are a few reasons why pregnant people may pursue RLT.

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Skin health

You may develop stretch marks as your belly expands to make room for your growing baby. While stretch marks are a natural part of pregnancy, some people may prefer to get them removed.

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, RLT may reduce stretch marks by flattening and softening their appearance. Improvement in the appearance of stretch marks may take up to 20 sessions over several weeks. However, laser treatment is not recommended while you are pregnant due to safety concerns and the fact that your body is going through several changes. If you want to pursue laser treatment, it's best to wait until after childbirth in the late postpartum period for stretchmark removal.

Another skin issue that pregnant people may use RLT to address is hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a symptom of melasma, a skin condition that can develop or be exacerbated during pregnancy from sun exposure, tanning beds, hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and certain medications and medical conditions. According to a recent review, photobiomodulation with wavelengths in the red and near-infrared range has the potential to manage melasma. However, more studies are needed to determine the optimal light parameters and to fully establish RLT effectiveness.

Some pregnant people may also use RLT to treat acne. However, there's no research to confirm the potential benefits or risks associated with using this treatment for pregnancy acne.

Hair growth

Between 40–50% of people experience hair loss during pregnancy. That said, pregnant people may want to pursue red light therapy to restore their hair. Research reveals that LLLT may stimulate hair growth in androgenetic alopecia (a genetically determined hair loss). However, no research has examined the effects of red light therapy on hair loss during pregnancy.

Mood improvement

In research, red light therapy is being explored as a potential non-invasive method for managing certain mental health disorders. As measured 2-weeks post-treatment, stimulation with near-infrared light to the forehead was found to benefit people with depression and anxiety by improving their mood. Please note that these results are very limited, as this was a small pilot study involving only 10 patients.

While pregnant individuals may be considering RLT to help manage mood fluctuations, it is important to highlight that the research on RLT for mental health indications is extremely limited. Despite many commercial devices being marketed as effective for the management of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), major depression, and other mental health concerns, there is not enough scientific evidence to substantiate these claims.

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Pain relief

During pregnancy, you may experience various aches and pains in your stomach, legs, nerves, back, and head. While there's no specific research regarding pregnancy pain and RLT, research reveals that this treatment may aid in reducing pain for health conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, non-specific knee pain, low back pain, and neck pain.

RLT is not recommended for pain management for pregnant people. For example, you might consider using a RLT waist belt if you have lower back pain. However, applying LLLT directly to your belly may increase the risk of complications for you and your growing fetus, so it's best to avoid it altogether.

It is important to note that red light lasers should not be directly applied or be close to your stomach. Exposure to these same wavelengths on your skin could harm you or your baby. If you decide to pursue red light therapy, it's recommended that you use a mask or small panels that are only targeting your face and not your belly.

Speak with your healthcare provider before starting RLT during pregnancy.

Potential risks and side effects

Like any treatment, RLT may cause unpleasant side effects and risks you should be aware of. Although there's limited research on the specific risks pregnant individuals may face while using RLT, there are known contraindications for RLT in general. Contraindications are specific situations where a medication, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may harm you.

One example of RLT contraindications is photosensitivity. Photosensitivity is when the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight or artificial light treatments and may burn more easily or experience adverse effects such as skin rashes. If you have a certain medical condition or are taking medications that increase your skin sensitivity, consult your healthcare provider before starting RLT.

With the lack of research on RLT, the side effects of long-term use, overuse, or misuse of this treatment are unknown.

Alternatives to red light therapy

Because there's not enough evidence to determine whether RLT is safe to use during pregnancy, it's best to avoid it. Instead, there are some alternatives that may be worth considering:

  • To help maintain healthy skin or address certain skin issues that are bothersome during pregnancy, consider skincare products containing ingredients that are safe for you and your growing baby.
  • To get a more restful sleep, consider getting a pregnancy pillow designed to reduce pressure points and alleviate discomfort.
  • Try yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques to help better manage pregnancy stress, fatigue, and mood fluctuations.
  • Pregnancy massage may be helpful in trying to address low back pain. Massage therapy has further benefits, ranging from enhanced relaxation to better sleep.

If in doubt, consult with your healthcare provider to help you choose the product or health practice that is right for you and is safe during pregnancy.

Red light therapy is a noninvasive form of photobiomodulation that uses wavelengths to improve skin or provide pain relief, among other potential benefits. Due to limited research on its safety, pregnant people should not use this treatment on their bodies. Before pursuing any treatment, speak with your healthcare provider to ensure it's safe for you and your baby. If you've tried red light therapy devices during your pregnancy, please share your experience. You may also share any questions about this light therapy in the comments below.

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